A cavity may seem like a minor issue, but over time this could lead to infection and even the risk of a missing tooth. Which is why we want to offer treatment with restorative dentistry. In today’s blog, your Prairie Village, KS, dentist talks about our custom fillings and dental crowns.
The Presence of a Cavity
How do you know if your tooth has a cavity? If you attend your checkup and cleaning visits every six months, then we will likely be able to identify the presence of a cavity in the early stages, often before you experience discomfort. Otherwise, you won’t know you have a cavity until your tooth feels sensitive when you eat or drink, or when a toothache forms that doesn’t subside after a day or two. At this point, treatment is crucial for avoiding the onset of an infection, which could cause more severe discomfort and lead to missing teeth in some cases. When you have pain in a tooth, let us know right away.
Dental Fillings
With a dental filling, we can treat cavities and protect your smile. To begin, we will examine your tooth to assess the cause and severity of your decay. We then plan treatment in detail. With the filling, we start by numbing your teeth to keep you comfortable. We then remove decay from the tooth and clean it thoroughly. We next prepare and place the filling material, a metal-free composite resin that we shade to blend with the tooth. We apply this in several layers, and then sculpt and mold the tooth. Finally, we polish it for a brighter appearance, stopping decay in one sitting.
Custom Crowns
If you have decay too severe for a filling, then we could instead place a custom and lifelike ceramic crown. We again numb your tooth, but now we remove structure to make room for the crown. We take detailed digital images and impressions of the tooth, which we use to design and craft the restoration. Our team then attaches the crown with a powerful bonding agent in a follow-up visit. The restoration looks natural and provides years of quality improvement, so you can enjoy optimal oral health and bite function again.
If you have any questions about how we treat issues like tooth decay with a dental filling or custom dental crown, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help return your smile to full function, health, and beauty, and could do so in as little as one visit.
Learn More About Restorative Dentistry
Dr. Browne and his team in Prairie Village, KS, are ready to repair your tooth and offer relief. When you have a toothache, then reach out to our team today by calling 913-901-8585.
